UpOnly Learning Presents: Family Emergency Guide — Natural Disasters, Power and Internet Outages

Family Emergency Guide

Earthquakes

Last checked: October 26, 2026

Official guidanceThis guide summarizes official guidance. It does not replace instructions from local officials. In the United States, call 911 in an emergency. If your 911 call does not go through.

Related pages: Emergency Kit Checklist · Family Emergency Plan

What it is

  • Ready.gov says an earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by rock breaking and shifting underground.[1]
  • Ready.gov says earthquakes can happen anywhere, with higher risk in California, Alaska, and the Mississippi Valley.[1]
  • Ready.gov says earthquakes can come without warning and can cause fires, road damage, tsunamis, landslides, and avalanches.[1]

For students

  • ShakeAlert says to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel shaking or get an alert."[3]
  • Ready.gov Kids says, "Do not use elevators!"[4]
  • Ready.gov Kids says, "Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can find you," and "Do not scream – you could breathe in dust."[4]
  • Ready.gov Kids says, "Expect aftershocks."[4]

Before

  • Ready.gov says to secure TVs and objects that hang on walls, and keep heavy or breakable things on low shelves.[1]
  • Ready.gov says to practice "Drop, Cover, then Hold On" with your family.[1]
  • Ready.gov says to make a family communication plan with an out-of-state contact and a meeting place.[1]
  • Ready.gov says to build a supply kit with at least three days of food and water, a flashlight, a fire extinguisher, a whistle, and extra batteries.[1]
  • The American Red Cross suggests a Bed-Kit with sturdy shoes, a flashlight, glasses, a dust mask, and a whistle.[2]
  • Ready.gov says standard homeowner's policies don't cover earthquake damage, so consider earthquake insurance.[1]

During

  • Ready.gov says to drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck with your arms, and hold on to sturdy furniture until the shaking stops.[1]
  • Ready.gov says that if you are in bed, stay there and cover your head and neck with a pillow.[1]
  • Ready.gov says that if you are inside, stay inside, and do not run outside or stand in a doorway.[1]
  • The Red Cross says, "If you are outdoors, drop, then crawl towards open space if you can."[2]
  • Ready.gov says that if you are in a car, pull over and stop in a clear area away from buildings, trees, overpasses, and power lines.[1]
  • The Red Cross says, "If you are in a wheelchair or use a walker, lock your wheels, and remain seated until the shaking stops."[2]

After

  • Ready.gov says to expect aftershocks.[1]
  • The Red Cross says, "Anticipate broken glass and debris on the ground, so put on sturdy shoes as soon as possible."[2]
  • Ready.gov says that if a building is damaged, leave it and do not go back in.[1]
  • Ready.gov says that if you are trapped, cover your mouth and signal by texting, banging on a pipe or wall, or blowing a whistle instead of shouting.[1]
  • The Red Cross says, "If you suspect a gas leak, leave your home, and call 911."[2]
  • Ready.gov says that in tsunami-prone areas, move inland or to higher ground as soon as the shaking stops.[1]
  • Ready.gov says to limit phone calls to emergencies.[1]

Official alerts

  • The Red Cross says, "There is no way to predict an earthquake."[2]
  • ShakeAlert, the USGS-managed earthquake early warning system, may send alerts seconds before strong shaking arrives in California, Oregon, and Washington.[3]
  • ShakeAlert says to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel shaking or get an alert."[3]
  • See Where to Get Official Alerts.

Sources

Last checked: October 26, 2026. Each numbered source below was opened and checked on the date shown. Numbers in brackets in the text, like [1], point to this list.

  1. [1] Ready.gov (FEMA), Earthquakes
    Published by
    Ready.gov (FEMA)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.ready.gov/earthquakes
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  2. [2] American Red Cross, Earthquake
    Published by
    American Red Cross
    Level
    Not a government agency (non-governmental organization)
    Found at
    www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/earthquake.html
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  3. [3] ShakeAlert (USGS-managed earthquake early warning)
    Published by
    ShakeAlert, managed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.shakealert.org/
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  4. [4] Ready.gov (FEMA), Know the Facts: Earthquakes (Kids)
    Published by
    Ready.gov (FEMA)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.ready.gov/kids/know-the-facts/earthquakes
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026

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